News Desk
MALE’ — Ahmed Saleem, the Member of Parliament for Eydhafushi constituency and one of the most senior members of the People’s Majlis, has been elected as the new Deputy Speaker, a day after his predecessor Ahmed Nazim resigned rather than face a no-confidence vote that he was certain to lose.
Saleem, known as Redwave Saleem and currently serving his fourth consecutive term in parliament, won the secret ballot with 62 votes against 10 for the opposition MDP’s nominee, Vaikaradhoo MP Ziyad, known as Fittey. Two votes were invalid. Saleem was not present for the vote as he is currently in Saudi Arabia performing the Hajj pilgrimage.
Nazim resigned on Monday, one day before the scheduled no-confidence vote. His resignation came after 73 PNC members signed a motion accusing him of abusing his position, disrupting parliamentary harmony and neglecting his responsibilities. In a statement released before stepping down, Nazim denied all the allegations and said he had performed his duties honestly, lawfully and with integrity. He had won the Deputy Speaker post at the start of the current term with 80 votes and had previously held the same position during the 17th Parliament.
The PNC held internal discussions before settling on Saleem as its nominee. Several other names were considered, including parliamentary group leader Ibrahim Falaah, Baarah MP Ibrahim Shujau, Mahibadhoo MP Ahmed Tariq and Hulhudhoo MP Mohamed Shahid. Consensus around Saleem was reached late on Sunday night.
The secret ballot was overseen by a five-member parliamentary committee comprising MPs Husnee Mubarak, Ibrahim Shujau, Anara Naeem, Ibrahim Nazil and Abdul Hannan Aboobakur.
The PNC holds 76 of the 93 seats in the Majlis. The margin of Saleem’s victory, 62 votes against 10, reflects the party’s commanding position in the House while also suggesting that not all PNC members voted for the ruling party’s nominee.
